This work analyzes the system of “checks and balances”, the delimitation and distribution of powers within the federation, examines the experience of federal states in the field of political culture, interethnic relations, mechanisms for the protection of national minorities, etc., and provides comparative features of the evolution of Canadian and American federalism.

Contents: The system of “checks and balances” in a federal structure. The problem of delimitation of powers. “Parameters” of federalism and modern Russia. Features of the federal structure of the Russian Federation. “Checks and balances” in a federal structure. The role of distribution of powers within the federation. Experience of federal states in the field of political culture. The importance of political culture factors for “building federalism” in the Russian Federation. The social aspect of the importance of political culture for preserving the federation. Political culture and interethnic relations. The importance of the ideology of “preventive internationalism” for preserving the Federation. The Canadian and American models of federalism are different paths in the same direction. An attempt at structural analysis. Comparative features of the evolution of Canadian and American federalism. USA. Canada. A brief analysis of the law “On the general principles of organization of legislative and representative bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation” (adopted by the State Duma on September 22, 1999) from the point of view of the experience of federalism. Appendix (table) of the spheres of competence of the federal government, state authorities of the constituent entities and judicial bodies in accordance with the Law of September 22, 1999 “On the general principles of the organization of legislative and representative bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.”